Members hope to see that the Government’s proposed legislative amendments, if passed by the Legislative Council, will encourage ferry operators to make necessary longer-term planning and investment, with a view to promoting quality and sustainable ferry services for the citizens.”

Critics have complained that the existing three-year limit is too short to allow ferry operators to make long-term plans and investments.

The policy shift has likely been driven by the sharply increasing subsidies the government is handing out to ferry operators.